The
State Service Principles are the cornerstone of
the State Service Act 2000 (the Act). The
Principles provide a statement as to both the way
that employment is to be managed in the State Service,
and the standards expected of those who work within
it.
Commissioner's
Direction No 2-2001 provides more information on
the State Service Principles, particularly in relation
to Heads of Agencies requirements to put in place
measures to ensure that the Principles are promoted
to employees within their Agency to ensure compliance.
All
employees are required to comply with and uphold
the Principles, and Heads of Agencies are also required
to promote the Principles.
Section
7(1) The State Service Principles are as follows:
(a)
the State Service is apolitical, performing its
functions in an impartial, ethical and professional
manner;
(b)
the State Service is a public service in which
employment decisions are based on merit;
(c)
the State Service provides a workplace that is
free from discrimination and recognises and utilises
the diversity of the community it serves;
(d)
the State Service is accountable for its actions
and performance, within the framework of Ministerial
responsibility, to the Government, the Parliament
and the community;
(e)
the State Service is responsive to the Government
in providing honest, comprehensive, accurate and
timely advice and in implementing the Government's
policies and programs;
(f)
the State Service delivers services fairly and
impartially to the community;
(g)
the State Service develops leadership of the highest
quality;
(h)
the State Service establishes workplace practices
that encourage communication, consultation, cooperation
and input from employees on matters that affect
their work and workplace;
(i)
the State Service provides a fair, flexible, safe
and rewarding workplace;
(j)
the State Service focuses on managing its performance
and achieving results;
(k)
the State Service promotes equity in employment;
(l)
the State Service provides a reasonable opportunity
to members of the community to apply for State
Service employment;and
(m)
the State Service provides a fair system of review
of decisions taken in respect of employees.
Section 7(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b),
a decision relating to appointment or promotion
is based on merit if:
(a)
an assessment is made of the relative suitability
of the candidates for the duties; and
(b)
the assessment is based on the relationship between
the candidates' work-related qualities and the
work-related qualities genuinely required for
the duties; and
(c)
the assessment focuses on the relative capacity
of the candidates to achieve outcomes related
to the duties; and
(d)
the assessment is the primary consideration in
making the decision.
